Ron Kessler: FIFA should add shootout (Not!)

BOSTON (June 12, 1997) -- In a move unprecedented in the
history of sports, a large number of fans in attendance at a soccer
doubleheader in Foxboro several weeks ago have filed suit against FIFA,
the world governing body, and the United States Soccer Foundation,
claiming they were cheated because the first game of the twin bill, a
World Cup qualifier between the United States and Mexico was never
completed.

"The game was tied at 2-2 at the end of regulation", explained I.
Kantandalties, the attorney that is handling the fans' grievances, "and
the players all walked off the field! No overtime, no shootout, nothing,
and the game was left undecided. My clients are still suffering emotional
trauma from this display of crass insolence toward them."

In a statement issued earlier today, Joe Casual, the fan who is
spearheading the suit said, "Just because it was a thrilling and bizarre
game with several changes in momentum and a little bit of everthing
and a trip to the finals possibly hanging on each of the numerous
ear-misses by both sides, doesn't mean they have the right to simply
walk off the field because they don't feel like determining a winner.
We paid good money to see a result."

It is interesting to note that Major League Soccer and the New England
Revolution were also named as defendants in the suit. "Even though the MLS
game didn't actually end in a tie after regulation", said Casual, "we still
feel we were deprived of the excitement of the shootout. They could have
simply madeTampa Bay have to win two shootouts in a row as a penalty for
losing the preceding 90 minutes."

Various members of the media have also voiced complaint over the lack of
shootouts in both matches since they now had no material to fill the 80
percent of the column inches that they normally allocate to describe a
shootout because they know nothing about the sport or weren't paying
attention during the 90 minutes. This may explain why reports disappeared
entirely from some newspapers. Sam's Army, Midnite Riders, and
Mexican-American fans in attendance that day considered making a statement
on the suit but declined since the USSFand MLS would ignore them anyway
because they figured these groups would turn up at matches no matter what.

Key members of MLS would not comment on the situation other than that
they believe the National Hockey League is pushing the lawsuit to test
whether they would be vulnerable to such tie-breaking proceedings in the
future.